Program Information
"The main thing is that the groups should contain different ages, because it has great influence on the cultural development of the child. This is obtained by the relations of the children among themselves. You cannot imagine how well a young child learns from an older child; how patient the older child is with the difficulties of the younger." — Maria Montessori
"As children observe, reflect, record, and share nature’s patterns and rhythms, they are participating in a process that promotes scientific and ecological awareness, problem solving, and creativity.”
— Deb Matthews Hensley
"Children’s play is not just kids’ stuff. Children’s play is rather the stuff of most future inventions.” — Mr. Rogers
Our Team
Our environment fosters open learning, and as such is carefully supervised by an experienced, dedicated, and skilled staff. The Center considers an important part of its mission to assist and support parents/caregivers with their children’s development. As partners in learning, our staff works with families to help each child reach full potential, with an emphasis on self-respect and acceptance of others.
Priscilla Gideon
Director
Priscilla Gideon is a University Scholar Honors Graduate of Princeton University, with two Masters’ Degrees from Columbia. She is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio, an award winning short fiction writer, and, little known fact…an Irish citizen!
Priscilla’s secret to a lifetime working with children is a very active inner child. Joy and a sense of wonder are at the heart of everything she does. When not teaching, Priscilla can be found jumping on the bed with her rescue dog Tain.
Renee
Assistant Director
Favorite children’s book: The Mitten by Jan Brett
What you love most about your job: The hugs, smiles and helping them to problem solve.
All staff maintains a minimum of 15 hours per year of NYS regulated trainings including but not limited to CPR, First Aid, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Child Abuse, Maltreatment, and Child Development. They are cleared and fingerprinted by New York State and are mandated reporters. Our child-teacher ratios are 1:5 for toddlers and 1:7 for Mixed Age Classroom. All teachers possess a minimum of a 2-year degree in Early Childhood, with several teachers holding a higher education degree. Our staff’s dedication to the field of early education is valued and respected by our families and the community at large.